What are authorised premises
When deciding whether or not to grant a pharmacy business licence, the Council must consider if the premises for the pharmacy business are authorised premises. The Pharmacy Business Ownership Act 2024 (PBO Act) provides that premises are authorised premises if the premises:
- are not located in, or directly accessible from, a supermarket premises; and
- meet the standards prescribed by regulation.
A supermarket premises means a premises used primarily for carrying on a supermarket business. A supermarket business means a business whose primary purpose is selling a range of food, beverages, groceries and other domestic goods.
Premises includes a building or other structure, part of a building or other structure and can include premises held under more than one title or by more than one owner. Inherent in the definition of premises is a requirement to comply with relevant planning, building and construction laws governing its lawful use.
Prohibited promotional arrangements
Section 28(d) of the PBO Act provides that a licence can only be granted if there is no prohibited promotional arrangement in effect for the pharmacy business.
Prohibited promotional arrangement is defined in the PBO Act and has two elements:
- A prohibited promotional arrangement for a pharmacy business means an arrangement that enables the promotion or advertising of a supermarket business and a pharmacy business (or the franchisor of a pharmacy business, or another entity in a franchisor-like relationship with the pharmacy business such as a brand licensor) using electronic means e.g. a website or an app.
- Prohibited promotional arrangements are between the owner of the supermarket business and the owner of the pharmacy business (or the franchisor of a pharmacy business, or another entity in a franchisor-like relationship with the pharmacy business such as a brand licensor).
For example, consistent with the requirements of pharmacy business premises not being located within, or directly accessible from, a supermarket premises, the PBO Act prohibits:
- a pharmacy business from being advertised or promoted online by a supermarket business
- the website or app of a supermarket business providing direct links to the website or app of a pharmacy business, the franchisor of a pharmacy business, or another entity in a franchisor-like relationship with the pharmacy business such as a brand licensor
- a pharmacy business allowing customers to purchase medicinal products sold by the pharmacy business or their franchisor as part of their online shopping with a supermarket business, in a supermarket app or through the website of a supermarket business, or
- a pharmacy business from preparing online orders for customers and allowing them to elect to pick up purchased pharmacy goods, including scheduled medicines, from a participating supermarket.
Premises standards
The standards that pharmacy premises must meet to be considered authorised premises are prescribed in the Pharmacy Business Ownership Regulation 2025 (PBO Regulation).
For more information on the premises standards review the Guidance Note – Standards for premises.
When submitting an application for a pharmacy business licence, applicants must declare that the pharmacy premises complies with the required premises standards. Supporting evidence is not required as part of the application documentation. Compliance will instead be verified by the Council through premises inspections when required.
Important! By making this declaration, applicants are confirming that the pharmacy premises complies with all relevant planning, building, and construction laws governing its lawful use.
Premises inspections
The Council is currently developing its regulatory approach regarding inspections. It is anticipated that it will be similar to other jurisdictions where there may be inspections related to an application, routine inspections based on a cycle, inspections triggered by a complaint or notification and targeted inspections reserved for emerging risks.
In all instances a risk-based approach will be used to triage and prioritise inspections.
Relocating a pharmacy premises
Existing owners of existing pharmacy businesses
From 1 November 2025, existing owners of existing pharmacy businesses will have a one-year transitional period to apply for a licence (unless the two-year transitional provisions for corporate shareholders and corporate beneficiaries applies).
Provided the ownership of the pharmacy business does not change, relocating an existing pharmacy business during the transitional period will not trigger an immediate requirement under the PBO Act to apply for a licence, (i.e., the transitional periods will continue to apply).
However, if you relocate the existing pharmacy business during the transitional period, you will need to notify the Council of the change in premises. See Notifications under the 2001 Act to find out how to notify the Council.
Licensed pharmacy businesses
If your pharmacy is licensed, please go to Change a current licence for information on how to apply to change the licenced premises.